Latter-day Saint Life

Congress Members from 6 Faiths Share Testimonies of Prayer, Scripture, and the Hand of God

30595.jpg

When most people hear about Congress, they experience an immediate sense of frustration and a rise in blood pressure. However, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (Republican representative of North Carolina) attempts to shed some light on Christian faith in Congress with her new book, God Is in the House: Congressional Testimonies of Faith.

Foxx shares the testimonies of 18 Congress members, ranging from Methodist to Mormon. These Congress members explain how they feel about God's hand in government and share how they practice their Christian faith in the capital. Here are just a few of those declarations of faith.

Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House (R–Wisconsin), Catholic

Image title

"These days religious liberty is under assault. A lot of people think faith is just an odd, colorful mask for the ugly face of intolerance. I am not saying we should feel put upon. I mean, saints were thrown to the lions; by that standard, we have it easy. What I am saying is that we have to advocate for our faith. And we should defend religious liberty not just on material grounds—that is, because people of faith do good things, like give to charity or volunteer. We should also defend it on spiritual grounds—that is, because living out our faith gives us joy.

"The administration seems to believe only in a material world, where the only stuff that matters is dollars and cents. But that’s a cold, unfeeling world to live in. And that’s not the kind of country that our Constitution envisions. Why is this even an issue? Because I actually think religious liberty is going to make a comeback—because there is a growing need for faith."

Congressman Juan Vargas (D–California), Catholic

Image title

"I'm a Democrat and proud of it; but I try hard to work with my friends the Republicans where I can. In three years' time, I've discovered that it's possible to develop very close relationships with people whose policies I not only don't like but vote against routinely. I don't see them as the enemy. Quite the contrary—I see them and interact with them like the friends they are. . . . Through it all, I try to see the hand of God. I'm not always sure how He's working in some instances, but I'm confident in the final outcome. I have faith in Jesus Christ, and in a world that He has already redeemed."

Former Congressman Steve Southerland II (R–Florida), Christian

Image title

"I believe that our best years are ahead for this nation. . . . Obviously there is evil, and there are people in Congress—as there are everywhere—who don’t believe in these principles and want to pursue something that is more humanistic in form, and so you hear, 'Washington is broken,' and 'Washington as a community is an evil place.' I know of no place on the planet that does not have the ability to become an evil place. But I also know that God is there, in Washington—without question. 

"After voting on the floor on the first night of every week, I would go off to a little room and pray. Usually around 20 members were there—praying for America. We prayed for real people with real hurts and real hopes. There is a Bible study that I enjoyed attending when able. It was a true expository study, and I enjoyed it very much. It recalibrated me going into each week. Prayer recalibrated many of us. I am encouraged by what I saw in the midst of a place that is sometimes very discouraging. That is the way God plans it."

     ► You'll also like: Public Nominates The Book of Mormon as One of the Top "Books That Shaped America"

Congressman Tom Graves (R–Georgia), Baptist

Image title

"There is one thing that I would like to say about the people in Washington. There are men and women here of strong faith who are good folks, who are definitely doing the right thing. I didn’t know it would be that way. I have talked to other members who have said to me, 'I did not know if I would win, but part of my prayer was that if I did win, that there would be godly men and women there to join in prayer.'

"Many of us have been drawn together. We are joined together through prayer, as kindred spirits, or by joining in Bible study. We pray for each other; we pray for the decisions that are being made; we pray for our nation; we pray for those in our military who are faced with challenges and dangers; we pray for those in need in our districts when we have devastating storms or other crises. To me, it is so encouraging to know that you can set politics aside, and at the end of the day, we have men and women who truly care about those whom they represent. As representatives, we are servants. We are to be a servant to those whom we represent."

Congressman Dan Lipinski (D–Illinois), Catholic

Image title

"My faith is a critical part of who I am, and why is that less acceptable than any other influence that people bring in? That’s the argument I always try to make: Why is my viewpoint any less acceptable than anyone else’s? Everyone comes with a worldview; mine is shaped by my faith, and hopefully my faith really is driving me. That should be accepted in the public square.

"When it comes to Bible study and a prayer partner, my wife is the primary one. I speak with her every night over the phone when I am in Washington; I can’t remember the last time I didn’t. It is something that I wouldn’t and couldn’t live without. And we pray together. . . . She is absolutely critical to everything I do."

Congressman Randy Hultgren (R–Illinois), Evangelical Christian

Image title

"On Monday evenings, right after first votes, the Prayer Caucus, which includes more than 100 members of the House of Representatives, meets in a room just off the House floor to pray for God’s wisdom and protection and healing in our land. We humble ourselves before Him, recognizing that the problems we face are too big for us and that we need His help. We need His hand, we need His guidance and His wisdom for us to be able to address the very serious problems of this nation and this world.

"The next day, Tuesday morning, a freshman Bible study group gathers to pray together, to go through part of a scripture together, and to encourage each other. On Tuesday night I join a group of senators and representatives who meet to study the Word, and also to hold each other accountable. We have a dinner together and check in to see how we are doing in our marriages, with our families and our kids, and how we can pray for each other.

"There is a group that meets on Wednesday as well, and Thursday morning is our prayer breakfast. Every Thursday before the prayer breakfast, a group of Democrats and Republicans meet for Bible study. . . . I am so grateful for what I see God doing here on the Hill."

Congresswoman Janice Hahn (D–California), Churches of Christ

Image title

"After I had been in Congress a couple of months, Representative Mike McIntyre (D–North Carolina) invited me to attend a weekly bipartisan prayer breakfast held every Thursday morning at eight a.m. The occasion includes singing hymns, praying for one another, and hearing about a journey of faith from one member of Congress. I enjoy attending because when we are there, we do not talk politics, and we realize that everybody has the same issues in their lives. We all face personal and family problems. Many of us have close friends or family with health issues or other struggles. But I have found that when we pray for others, it breaks down the normal political barriers we have erected.

"I think anything we can do to break down barriers and find common ground will lead to a better atmosphere in Congress, which, I hope, will lead to compromises and getting things done for the American people. That’s what this country wants—for us to come together to solve problems."

Congressman Chris Steward (R–Utah), Mormon

Image title

"Often when we meet together, we start with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. Many times we start with a scripture as well. After hearing some of these prayers I have often thought, 'I wish the American people could have heard that prayer. If they could have heard that, they would have more faith in our future.'

"Yes, we have huge challenges ahead of us. We have to figure out how to get a few things right. But people ask me all the time if I am hopeful for our country. My answer is always the same. Of course I am! . . . The American people still care about their country. God still cares about this country. . . . And He still cares about this world.

"Knowing that God still cares, despite the enormous challenges that lay before us, I am full of faith for our future."

     ► You'll also like: Did Lincoln Read the Book of Mormon?

Lead image from Getty Images, Congressional portraits from Wikimedia Commons

Read more testimonies from Congress members in God Is in the House: Congressional Testimonies of Faith. Learn from 18 current and past Congress members how their Christian faith affects their politics, and read what they have to say about God's hand in Washington, D.C. Available in paperback and ebook at Deseret Book stores and on deseretbook.com.

30717.jpg
30716.jpg
30723.jpg
30721.jpg
30722.jpg
30715.jpg
30720.jpg
30718.jpg

Share
Stay in the loop!
Enter your email to receive updates on our LDS Living content